Started from the Bottom, Now She’s Here! Mercy Johnson’s Success Story may Make You Shed a Tear…or Two

Mercy Johnson is letting you know that if at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.

The Nollywood star recently had an interview with Saturday Tribune in which she spoke about her journey into fame, her family, her husband and why she is so much happier now.

Read Excerpts from the interview;On getting to the top: “Sometimes when I cry in movies, it isn’t the script that makes me cry. When I recall my humble beginning, I give thanks to God. When I remember how we moved into an uncompleted building and had to take cover whenever it rained because of the condition of the house; how my brother did a menial job as a bricklayer to earn a living and those days when we rolled over a stick to cover the windows up till the point when I started acting and raised money to cover the roof… I recall those days we were living with lizards because the floor and the walls of the house were not plastered, or when I had scars as a result of my several falls.”

On starting out as an actress: “After my secondary school education, I failed the University Matriculation Examination (UME) and came back to Lagos to get a degree. While that was on, I watched Genevieve Nnaji in a movie entitled; Sharon Stone. I later approached a friend for assistance to feature in a movie. He said I had a great body and that I would make a good actress. He later took me to the National Theatre, but a role did not come until a year later, when I had my first lead role in a film entitled; The Maid. “

On being a Mrs: “Marriage has taught me lots of things and I’ve learnt a lot since I got married too. I know that if I had gotten married earlier, I wouldn’t have made most of the errors I made. It’s good to be married to somebody who is so organized; he brings you up the right way and reminds you of whom you’re supposed to be.

Marriage has been sweet for me because I have the best husband and daughter in the world. Being a married woman, I have learnt to tolerate things more. It has changed my perspective of life and the way I react to things.

When I’m not at location, I spend quality time with my family. And guess what? My husband has always been there for me and Purity. It’s obvious we are his priority. He’s a loving husband and father. He understands the nature of my job. He’s the best thing that has happened to me. People usually say men are not reliable. In the case of my husband, he’s a blessing. “

On the attraction: “What attracted him to me was his fearless approach. You know sometimes, you meet some guys and they get intimidated about you, but not with him. The first time we were supposed to have a date, he said “Let’s go to my house so you can cook for me” and in my mind, I was like “Seriously, this guy doesn’t know my name.” So, I said “My name is Mercy Johnson” and he said “Yes I know.”

On negative reports: “A lot of untrue things have been said about me, but I have come to realise that it doesn’t cost people anything to cook up lies about me. The one I remember vividly is the one they said I stole money and also snatched people’s husbands. I lost a deal worth N 50 million from a telecommunication company because of that.”

On Tonto Dikeh dissing her on Twitter for returning to work after 2 months of welcoming Purity: “I’d rather not talk about it.”

Well she made it from nothing, good job. I don’t know about snatching because I don’t think that anyone can be snatched if they did not want to. I also don’t think it is wise to be gloating about an uneducated and unemployed man that left his wife & kids to be with you. I wouldn’t call it reliable, I’d call it very convenient for an irresponsible man.

Why is Tonto Dikeh talking crap for? she needs to start thinking about what her body will look like in the future after all that bleaching and tattoo’s that she flaunts all around the place mtcheeewwww at least Mercy is happy, married, has a child and satisfied kmt. How stupid! Before you start pointing fingers at other people make sure your one is clean she would probably do worse don’t say anything unless your in her shoes mtcheeeewwww!!

I respect this babe too much! Phenomenal, hard-working actress! So grounded despite the fact that she coulda done some major damage staying single with that her shape! Very unassuming and private unlike alot of her colleagues. Stay the way u are boo!

Mercy GOD has blessed me and nothing any one can do abut it. I was opportuned to act with mercy and the short moment I sent with him is like I hav non him of years . If people that gossip u than their is nothing great in u, I lov u mercy hope to see u again.

She said she lost a telecom deal because of the things people said about her that weren’t true. But I believe the snatching of husband to be true. Afterall the man was someone s husband before she came along so that one is evident for all to see. Ain’t no rumor in that.

Lol! I know Mercy Johnson is the matron saint for all dirty up and coming homewreckers in villages across the country, but this is not the season for homewreckers at all, ask Gabrielle Union. She too was bragging and posting pictures of her perfect life while his ex and kids lost their home untill Karma came knocking.. But at least Gabbby is beautiful and the man involved is rich and famous. She gave a public interview, this is a public forum and I have a right to my opinion on the nonesense she spills as much as you idol worshipers. Loving fathers do not sacrifice their children for the love of someone famous, and I know that because I was raised by one. A loving father works his behind off to feed, cloth, shelter, educate, provide a loving home as well as be there for ALL his children. Why is her child more precious than his other ones? Has the moral climate of our society frozen over that we endorse this kind of behavior? Sit back mama and wait for your day and while waiting send Genevieve and Omotola some flowers for no longer making movies. I am supposed to be impressed with a woman stuck in the mud in Asaba so she can feed a jobless man with a wife and kids, please. So over arguing with market women with internet access.

Leah abi wetin be yr name, you are just a -! Which one come concern you for the matter? Voltron oshi! Keep judging and see what life has in store for u! Mumu! Mercy ride on jere! Ppl dont get that what matters in life is true happiness!

the entertainment industry has helped a lot of people. it’s the same in hollywood, and other parts of the world. most of these celebrities lived in the ghettos, trailer parks, they had horrible and depressing childhoods.

Tonton Dikeh never mentioned her name or any names BTW.
She praises her husband too much in the media. She does not have to prove anything to anyone. Enjoy your good fortune silently.
An inspiring article.

Why is this woman always boating about a husband that is still married to another woman and on top of that a Deadbeat Dad. Where I come from deadbeat dads are regarded as useless and unworthy of the titles Man and Father. How desperate and insecure as a woman to end up with such a person. Try to convincinly play a role outside of your usual hooker and local roles and let us know when that man gets a job. Please enough with this over hyped woman this year, Nigeria can definitely do better.

Ability to act is now based on body parts? Okay o, it’s good! There’s a hausa proverb which says ‘the same broom used to flog the 1st wife is the same that will be used on the 2nd wife…’ I rest my case; no judgements passed but whatsoever a man sows, that he must reap.

In my person opinion , mercy johnson was not from a poor Home, the stories about the uncompleted buliding could have stemmed from after her father retired from the navy, but i know for a fact that her upbringing was not as bad as she is portraying it.
my point is that not everybody started out poor, so why not appreciate God for where you left off and where u are, no need for the lizard and plywood stories…

Mercy did not snatch any woman’s husband. I will rather say that the man snatched mercy from people like us who were just day-dreaming instead of courageously going to her.
So Lea and the rest should keep their traps shut once and for all!